Bedroom Refresh: Deep Cleaning and New Bedding + How to Dress a Bed Like A Designer

As winter approaches, many of us find ourselves spending more time indoors and settling in for earlier nights. I certainly belong to that group, and a bedroom refresh is exactly what I need as the colder months settle in. Few things rival the simple pleasure of curling up under warm covers with a good book on a chilly evening, but that blissful feeling only comes when my space is clean, cozy, and fragrant. So, it was time for a little refresh.

Having lived in our home for nearly a year and updated much of it, our bedroom had remained untouched, patiently waiting its turn. Instead of rushing into a complete overhaul, I’m opting for a gradual approach to create the perfect space. Often, the most impactful changes start with the basics: a thorough deep clean and fresh bedding. While a bedroom refresh doesn’t always require new purchases, thoughtfully chosen pieces like accent pillows or a plush throw can make a world of difference if your budget allows. I have grander plans for the future—perhaps new lighting, artwork, or an accent wall—but for now, I’m focusing on cultivating a warm, inviting atmosphere through simple, intentional changes. Join me as I share my simple approach to refreshing our bedroom, starting with the essentials that make a bedroom feel clean and cozy. Keep reading to discover ideas for your bedroom refresh!

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Before the Refresh

Over late summer/ fall, we used only our pretty floral quilt that I styled with some homemade throw pillows (the two deep red pillows). I love this quilt, but it was time or a little change!

The Deep Clean: The First Part of Bedroom Refresh

Let’s be real: our bedrooms can sometimes become the catch-all for everything that doesn’t have a home. And since my husband and I are the only ones who see or spend time in our bedroom, it often takes a backseat when it comes to organizing and decorating. As I embarked on this bedroom refresh, I started with a thorough deep clean and a little organization. It was finally time to tackle those dusty corners, piles of laundry, and hidden nooks that often go overlooked.

Step 1: Declutter

I began by decluttering the space. I like to use baskets while decluttering to keep myself on track. For this task, I had one basket for things that don’t belong in our room (to be removed) and one basket for things that do belong in our room, but need sorting, cleaning, organization, etc.

I hung up or folded clothes, organized my jewelry, and put away makeup and skincare products on our bathroom counters. Next, I emptied the waste baskets and brought dirty laundry to the laundry room.

After that, I also spent some time organizing our nightstands, removing anything that didn’t belong there. I didn’t spend too much time on the nightstands. I am currently working on flipping two second-hand nightstands to replace ours.

We recently bought two tall bookshelves and I have yet to fill or style them. But I tidied them and watered my plants.

Step 2: Clean Fabrics

I like to start with the laundry to get that going as soon as possible. So I removed all the bedding, including the mattress cover and pillows, and threw them in the wash. I know I can’t be the only one, but I am absolutely crazy about clean sheets. There’s something so satisfying about fresh, clean sheets.

I also took the opportunity to vacuum the mattress and headboard to remove any allergens and dust mites.

I like to finish with generous spaying of my homemade lavender linen spray. Spraying on all soft surfaces like the headboard, mattress, curtains, and carpet. Get the recipe here if you are interested!

Step 3: Dust and Wipe Down

Next up was the dusting. Armed with my reusable microfiber cloth and a bit of all-purpose cleaner, I cleaned surfaces like dressers, shelves, window frames, and ceiling fan. It’s amazing how much dust accumulates in a room we think is clean! I made sure to wipe down light fixtures and any decorative items that had gathered a layer of dust. This small effort did so much to really brighten up the room. It will also help the room smell fresh, which is vital for a relaxing atmosphere.

I also changed the filter in our air purifier. We have three dogs so these are a must in every room. We have four air purifiers from Germ Gaudain and they’ve held up well for 3 years and keep our home smelling fresh. A pleasant-smelling room is crucial for a bedroom refresh.

Step 4: Floor Care

With the bedding in the wash and surfaces clean, I turned my attention to the floors. I vacuumed thoroughly, especially under the bed, where dust loves to hide (and in our case dogs too). If anyone has a recommendation for the best vacuum for dog hair, please drop it in the comments! I have to vacuum daily with three dogs and still feel our carpets could be much cleaner.

After vacuuming I shampooed the carpet. To be honest, I definitely don’t do this enough, but I am working on doing it more regularly! I love our Hoover PowerDash. It’s simple to operate and lightweight. It is so satisfying and horrifying to see the amount of dirt that comes out of our rugs and carpets every time I use this machine.

If you have hardwood, LVP, or tile floors, a good mopping can make a big difference. We have hardwood throughout the rest of our house and I love this mop for thorough cleanings because it can be cleaned during use and I used the Bona mop for small messes. Again with 3 kids, 3 dogs, and mild neurosis, I do a lot of cleaning.

shop my cleaning favorites

If it’s in your budget, you might consider adding or replacing your area rug for a fresh look. We have a pretty boring carpet and I am considering adding a rug. But is it weird to put a rug on top of a carpet?

Bedroom Refresh: Adding New Bedding Before Darkness Sets In

Now that the deep clean was complete, it was time to focus on the fun part: new bedding!

If you want to change up the look of your room and want some inspiration, check out this article with lots of gorgeous ideas to inspire your bedroom refresh.

Step 1: Choose a Color Palette

With winter on the horizon, I wanted to create a space that felt warm and inviting, but also bright and cheery to help ward off the S.A.D ((seasonally affective disorder) and my natural state as an anxious millennial).

To support my declining serotonin as we plunge into the darkness ahead, I opted for a light, white, linen duvet and neutral floral pillows. I am loving brown right now and slowly turning everything in our home from grey (work done by the previous owners) to brown.

I decided to go with warm earth tones in shades of white and brown that evoke warmth. These colors not only feel cozy but also bring a touch of nature indoors, which is perfect for winter. If you want to use earth tones in your space but aren’t sure where to start, I suggest you check out this post.

Step 2: Select the Bedding

I chose a soft, linen duvet with matching shams that would keep us warm during the chilly nights. There’s something about sinking into a fluffy duvet that instantly makes a bed feel luxurious. Linen is supposed to be more durable than cotton, so I hope this duvet holds against dog paws. We try to keep them off our bed, but it is a losing battle.

I also added a few decorative pillows in varying textures—some knitted, some velvety—to create a layered look. I took a chance and bought these pretty, double-sided floral pillows with only one review and it totally worked out! They’re so cute and the quality is so much better than I expected. The colors are so pretty and the zipper is strong and seems durable. I hope so because I bought two sets!

shop our bedding

Step 3: Make Your Bed Pretty

I firmly believe that just like with food, presentation matters when it comes to decorating and design. Have you have you ever the phrase “the eyes eat first”? Or how about the concept of “dopamine decor”? Well, I see making the bed look beautiful in same in the light. A pretty bed is a more comfortable bed! So I took some time to learn how to make it look nice.

For this look I kept things bright and worked with a few things I already had and a few new items. You don’t have to buy anything new to refresh your space. I love rearranging and reusing items differently to give a new look. For example, to add just a little more interest to this look, I used this striped top sheet that I thrifted. It is sold by Target but I haven’t gotten around to purchasing the matching fitted sheet yet. But for now, I like this mismatched look.

Another way to create interest is the use of pattern or texture. I added this white patterned and textured quilt, which contrasts but doesn’t compete with the simplicity of the white duvet.

Use what you have and experiment with different patterns, colors, and textures to create interesting and layers.

I love that this velvet lumbar pillow cover relates our chairs to the bedding. And it’s so soft and cozy, which is what actually matters here.

How To Dress a Bed Like a Designer

My simple, tried and true approach for making our bed look beautiful and feel cozy is to follow these simple steps.

1. Start with clean bedding and add your sheets. Pull your top sheet up over the top edge of the mattress so you can fold it over the next layer.
2. Add your first blanket. Depending on your climate and sleep comfort, this might be a comforter, quilt, or thin blanket. Pull that up toward the top of the bed, almost to the headboard.
3. Tuck the sheet back over the first blanket and then fold it over again. This gives a neater folded edge, instead of having the edge of the sheet exposed, which is often warped by washing.
4. Tuck the top sheep and first blanket neatly under the mattress for a tidy look. The quilt I am using is queen-sized, so it doesn’t tuck well on the king-sized bed. We purchased a king-sized bed a few months ago and are still in the process of upgrading all our bedding from queen to king. This is the quilt I have my eye on when we do upgrade.
5. Neatly place your sleeping pillows above the folded-over top sheet. If the pillowcases are open on one end, pillows can slip out and look messy. I like to straighten and smooth the pillowcase and put the side with the opening of the pillowcase toward the middle of the bed. Then I like to tuck the pillows together to hide the openings. This leaves the neater-looking sewn edge more visible.
6. Layer on your second blanket and create a triple fold. A fluffy duvet works well for this. Start by lining up the bottom of the duvet a few inches from the foot of the bed. Then pull it up two-thirds of the way up the bed. Fold it over toward the foot of the bed and then fold it back over on itself one more time. This will leave you with an elegant and cozy-looking bed!

Step 4: Layering for Comfort and Finishing Touches

The last step is to add a throw blanket and some decorative pillows. This not only looks inviting but is perfect for snuggling up with a book before bed. You can neatly fold your throw and layer into the other elements of the bedding. Of you toss it in this totally effortless way (that takes a lot of effort to make look right, while still looking effortless- just like “no makeup makeup”.

But it also makes it easier to grab when you want to get cozy and it softens the lines of the folded and neater elements, making the whole bed look neat but welcoming.

New covers on the throw pillows on the chairs and added a throw blanket to finish the look.

Wrapping Up This Simple Bedroom Refresh

I know I’m not exactly breaking new ground by cleaning our bedroom and swapping out the bedding, but the difference it makes is incredible! And sometimes simple obvious fixes get overlooked. Our bedroom feels so cozy now, and this simple refresh was just what I needed. Plus, it has helped me clarify my future plans for the space while also making it cute and inviting in the meantime. The combination of a thorough deep clean and fresh bedding has truly transformed our room into a cozy retreat where we can relax and recharge.

Whether you’re planning a complete overhaul or just a quick refresh, I encourage you to take the time to create a bedroom that feels like a sanctuary. After all, we spend a significant portion of our lives—almost a third of our time—in this space, so it deserves to be as inviting as possible!

So, grab your cleaning supplies, pick out some new bedding (or keep it simple and use what you have), and turn your bedroom into a cozy space you love.